On a class of partial planes related to biplanes

Abstract

In this note we consider partial planes in which for each element x (point or line) there exists a unique opposite element or antipode x* which cannot be joined to x or has no intersection with x. We also require the existence of a triangle. Such partial planes will be called antipodal planes. We are mainly interested in the subclass of regular antipodal planes satisfying: p I L implies p* I L* for all points p and lines L. We shall provide a free construction of infinite regular antipodal planes. The objects thus constructed are not free objects in the usual sense since between antipodal planes there do not exist proper homomorphisms. On the other hand, regular antipodal planes do have a canonical homomorphic image which is a biplane (cf. Payne, J Comb Theory A 12:268–282, 1972). Regular antipodal planes can be coordinatized by certain algebraic systems in a similar way as projective planes are coordinatized by ternary rings. Again by a free construction, we shall provide examples satisfying a configuration theorem comparable to the Fano condition with fixed line at infinity.